N.Z. women wrap up basketball series

Press, 3 July 1979, Page 24

N.Z. women wrap up basketball series

PA Dunedin A second-half rally by the visiting Mississippi All Stars women’s basketball team just failed to take the fourth test match against New Zealand, at the Dunedin stadium at the week-end.

The Americans came back strongly from a 23-44 half-time deficit to lose 54-61, and give New Zealand a 3-1 series win. After a poor first half, the American girls made a remarkable recovery led by Pam Rogers, Carol Ross and Angela Bello. The New Zealand girls dominated the first half looking much sharper on attack and more solid in defence than the Americans. Heather Grayburn drove hard Into the keyhole and was excellent on the rebound for New Zealand. She top-scored with 22 points before she was forced to leave the court with a cut under the right eye. In contrast, the Mississippi players were unable to pierce the New Zealand defence.

Carolyn Gray was the key figure in the New Zealand defence, rebounding well and fiercely contesting possession. There was a noticeable lapse in the defence when Gray was substituted near the end of the

first half, allowing the Americans more room to string passes together. Ross Williams, the New Zealand coach, was particularly pleased with the first-half play of his team and singled out Heather Grayburn for her work in the defence. “Our big girls contained the tail Americans in the game, whereas in previous games we have only been able to contain the guards.”